BIO: General Jackson WOODRING, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  GENERAL JACKSON WOODRING, the genial and popular proprietor of the 
"Woodring Hotel," Port Matilda, Centre county, was born September 30, 
1853, at Huntingdon Furnace, Huntingdon Co., Penn., a son of Michael 
and Nancy (Halderman) Woodring. He was twelve years of age when he 
accompanied his parents to Centre county, locating on the farm where 
his father still resides, and assisted in its 

520  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  

cultivation and improvement until 1871, when he started out to earn his 
own livelihood, working for one year in a gristmill at Roopsburg. Later 
he entered the mill of Joseph Wilkerson, where he remained until 1874, 
when he returned home and assisted his father during the following 
summer. Subsequently he was employed in various mills, either as a 
miller or millwright until 1880, when he began the operation of a mill, 
where he had previously been employed, conducting the same for two 
years. For five years he operated a flouring-mill for his brother, G. 
W. Woodring, in Martha Furnace, and then returned to Port Matilda, 
where, after conducting a mill for one year, he opened his present 
hotel. It is conveniently arranged and well furnished, and in all its 
appointments, under its present able management, a first-class hotel, 
and is well patronized.
  Mr. Woodring was married December 5, 1874, to Miss Bella J. Moore, 
and they became the parents of four children: George, Margerie V., 
Edith L. and Vera E.; the last named died October 6, 1887. The others 
are still with their parents, and Margerie V. is now organist of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Port Matilda, with which the mother and 
children are all identified. Mrs. Woodring was born at Roopsburg, 
Centre county, May 5, 1854, and is a daughter of Patrick and Margerie 
(Calhoun) Moore, natives of Roopsburg and Unionville, Centre county, 
respectively. The father engaged in farming at the former place, where 
the mother died November 23, 1874, at the age of thirty-four years, and 
he later removed to Milesburg, where his last days were spent in 
retirement, dying in February, 1886, at the age of eighty years, at the 
home of his daughter, Maggie, wife of Samuel Myers. He was a prominent 
and influential man, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. He was 
born on the old homestead farm, which his father, Hamilton Moore, and 
cleared and improved. The latter was a native of Ireland, and on coming 
to America at an early day located at Roopsburg. He became one of the 
leading and wealthy citizens of the community, honored and respected by 
all who knew him. To Patrick Moore and wife were born seven children, 
as follows: Alfred C., general agent for a sewing machine company at 
Harrisburg, Penn.; Maggie, wife of Samuel Myers, a millwright of 
Milesburg, Penn.; Charles H., a resident of Bellefonte, Penn.; Thomas 
T., of New Washington, Penn.; Bella J., wife of our subject; Anna, wife 
of Peter Cowher, a decorator, of Tyrone, Penn., and Clarence, who died 
in infancy.
  Politically, Mr. Woodring affiliates with the Democratic party, and 
has been called upon to serve in a number of local offices, being tax 
collector three years, supervisor one year, and school director for the 
past three years. He has also been prominently connected with the 
election board. Pleasant and genial in manner he has made many warm 
friends, and all who know him have for him the highest regard.

1880 Boggs Township, Centre County census -
G. J. Woodring, 26 
Isabella Woodring, 25 
George C. Woodring, 4 
Margery V. Woodring, 3